§ Motivation for modal logic
-
possibly A -> necessarily (possibly A -> B) -> necessarily B
- this weakens the precondition
A -> (A -> B) -> B
by needing only possible A
and strengthens the postcondition by spitting out necessarily B
. - Key idea 1: if A is true in no world
w
, then possibly A
that we have is false, and from this we derive explosion. - Key idea 2: if A is true in some world
wa
, then suppose we are in some arbitrary world wr
. - Since
A
is true in wa
, we have possibly A
. - Since
necessarily (possibly A -> B)
is true in all worlds, we have (possibly A -> B)
. - Since we have both
possibly A
, and possibly A -> B
, we derive B
in wr
. - Since
wr
was arbitrary, we then have necessarily B
since B
holds in any arbitrary worlds.
§ Use of this for Kant
- experience of objects is possible.
- it is necessarily the case that if experience is possible, then I must have some way to unite experience.
- thus, necessarily we have unity of experience.
§ Use of this for descartes
- it is possible for me to be certain of something (ie, I think therefore I am)
- it is neecessarily the case that if I can be certain of something, I have clear and distinct perception.
- Therefore, it is necessary that I have clear and distinct perception.